I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.
During my my late teens, my regular journey to work was on an crowded coach. The vehicle was always crowded and would always be without any seats when I boarded.
One particular morning, I began feeling incredibly sick while the vehicle lurched around every turn. I repeatedly told myself to hold on for a few more stops before the bus got to my destination, and then I could sprint quickly for the nearest public restroom to be sick.
We were coming down the street towards the destination as it dawned on me I wasn’t going to last. Suddenly, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; like someone had cut the sound. My mind raced, “I’m going to faint”.
Luckily I was toward the front inside the vehicle, so I managed several steps to ask the driver and told the operator to stop, explaining to him I was going to vomit. He promptly opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped on to the pavement.
My intention was not to vomit in front of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and started trying to make my way toward the green space on the other side, thinking I could it would allow me to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to throw up. Yet I must have lost consciousness. I could feel my limbs, but walking was impossible or see clearly, leading me to start dragging myself toward the park.
“Are you okay, dear?”
Right then, I was lifted up. There was someone holding me and a man’s voice asked, “You right, love?” I explained to this unknown man that I required to be sick. So he virtually carried me into a nearby building and put me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to remain with me but I said no.
Not long after, I felt better to the point of sitting down when from beyond the stall I heard him inquire, “Do you need anything, love? Can I get you something?” I was incapable to stand up just then but I did succeed to thank him and following a brief period was able to move my legs. I made my way home passing the next few days healing from what turned out to be a nasty tummy bug.
I did not see the stranger’s face – only his legs and the big steelwork tools container he was carrying – but he saved me, when I was in my weakest state.
Often this world can make you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that our default setting leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish about my fellow humans.
